Discover Portland

Partners with local businesses and PPS high schools to get students real work experience before they graduate: career panels, job shadows, paid internships. The kind of exposure that makes picking a path feel less like guessing.

A paid summer internship program for Portland-area youth 16 to 24. Real jobs, real paychecks, and a chance to figure out what kind of work actually fits before committing to a major.

A three-year program through Portland Parks & Recreation for qualified ninth graders at any Portland public or private high school. Combines paid summer caddie work with a path toward a full tuition and housing scholarship to the University of Oregon. Applications open each spring.

A paid, ongoing role helping shape Portland Workforce Alliance's own programming while getting career mentoring in return. Registration typically opens each October.

A four-day career empowerment program for students who identify as female, non-binary, or gender expansive, with sessions led by professionals in government, health, HR, and construction. Applications typically open in May.

An after-school program connecting students to the construction trades: plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, and electrical. Recruitment has historically run in December.

A free after-school program (January–May) where teams of students design a building project with mentors from real architecture, construction, and engineering firms. Includes site visits and a final presentation to industry professionals. Since 2006, Oregon's ACE has served over 1,000 students and awarded more than $800,000 in scholarships. Transportation assistance is available for students with economic need.

A paid summer mentorship visiting real apprenticeship training centers and job sites, with an extra focus on electrical careers. Open to students entering grades 10–12.

A paid 5-week pre-apprenticeship in construction and green building for youth 16–19, including field trips to active job sites.

Visits to real Portland design firms to learn about creative careers directly from working designers. Applications typically open in May.

A paid internship for income-eligible 10th–12th graders interested in teaching. Work as a summer school educational assistant and earn free college credit. Apply through the SummerWorks application.

A flexible, paid part-time summer role for students curious about veterinary careers, starting around $15 an hour.

A free five-week program for sophomores and juniors visiting nursing schools (OHSU, University of Portland, Linfield, PCC) and a local hospital to connect with nursing students, admissions officers, and faculty. Runs November–December; applications typically due mid-October.

Summer internships for juniors and seniors in business, management, and pharmacy. Kaiser also partners with Portland Workforce Alliance on seasonal Career Days.

A stipended leadership role for ages 14–22 who want to advocate for their own and their peers' health. Recruitment has historically run September–October.

A paid 12-month environmental internship for Black-identified high schoolers through ELSO, including a $4,000 stipend.

Paid internships in engineering, IT, operations, and finance for recent high school grads (18+), college/trade students, or recent grads. PGE also partners with De La Salle High School on year-round paid internships for juniors and seniors, one day a week for course credit. Applications open in January and run through March or until filled.

Paid internships ($16–25/hour) across business, law, IT, public affairs, transportation planning, and engineering. Runs 12 months: full-time in summer, part-time during the school year. Requires a minimum 2.5 GPA and coursework aligned with the internship area. Rolling deadlines that vary by position.

A paid five-week conservation crew in the Portland area doing tree planting, invasive plant removal, and trail work with a small team and two crew leaders. Base stipend around $480/week plus bonuses, with a $200 tuition fee (assistance available). Open to ages 15–18; rolling admission.

A paid, live-in role teaching environmental education at OMSI's Hancock Field Station or Pacific Marine Science Camp. Room and board included.

Part-time lifeguard and swim instructor positions for students 16+, with free certification training and starting pay around $18.50–$20.90 an hour. Southwest Community Center currently has the greatest need.

Entry-level retail positions with no experience necessary, on-the-job training, and flexible scheduling. Call ahead for an interview before applying online.

Hiring starting at age 16 for courtesy clerk and Starbucks barista roles, with flexible scheduling and scholarship opportunities.

A job-search tool built specifically for teens looking for a first job, beyond any single employer.

Seasonal instructor and site director roles teaching recreational tennis to kids, teens, and families at parks and schools around the Pacific Northwest. Good fit if you're comfortable on a court and want coaching experience.

Weekend and summer classes across science, tech, engineering, and the arts.

A leadership program built for Portland high schoolers, especially low-income and BIPOC students, centered on art, environmental work, and a fellowship that includes travel to Costa Rica. Not your typical after-school program.

A residential summer program at Oregon State University where high schoolers spend a week building an actual business from scratch. At least half the spots go to students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds.

Free tutoring and a quiet place to study, open to any Portland-area high schooler regardless of which school you attend. Locations and hours rotate, so check Instagram for what's current.

Real-world training in live sound engineering for teens 15–19, paid $50 per completed training day, with a shot at future gigs at The Off Beat.

Free creative workshops in art, writing, and music led by working artists, offered virtually, hybrid, and in person year-round.

One-on-one media production support, from storyboard to final cut, plus equipment check-outs for young filmmakers and storytellers.

Free, ongoing involvement with professional theater, meeting monthly for masterclasses with local theater professionals. No application needed.

A weekend business retreat run by the Rotary Club of Portland, connecting students with real business leaders through team projects. Transportation provided.

A 5-day branding and entrepreneurship program for ages 16–23, including tours of major Portland brands and time at the University of Oregon's Portland campus.

Build a real startup with a team and a dedicated mentor, then compete for cash prizes. Costs $350, though financial assistance may be available.

A 7-day festival connecting teens interested in sneaker culture to athletes, collectors, and professionals in the footwear industry.

A free 5-day residential college-prep program for high-achieving juniors of Hispanic heritage, hosted at USC (a virtual option and an LMU session also exist). HSF covers housing, meals, and travel assistance, plus college and career workshops with mentors.

A year-long law and civil rights program for juniors, pairing students with an attorney mentor and legal workplace visits. Sponsored by the Federal Bar Association.

The official youth policy voice for Multnomah County and Portland, open to ages 13–21. No experience or GPA requirement, just a desire to serve.

A stipended leadership network for sophomores through seniors focused on global perspective and community action.

A space for youth of color ages 14–30 to organize around social justice, with activities that are free or paid.

A week in Washington, D.C. for two Oregon student leaders already serving in elected or appointed leadership roles. Applications typically due mid-October.

An after-school introduction to healthcare careers through panels and interactive exploration with real healthcare professionals.

OHSU's hub for research and summer internship opportunities. Worth reaching out directly to a department or lab that interests you.

An unpaid, selective summer program at OHSU exploring the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, with mentorship from cardiology professionals. Open to Oregon high schoolers at least 16 by the end of May; no prior cardiology experience required. Applications typically due in early April.

Monthly weekend apprenticeships (fall through spring, plus summer options) in wilderness skills, blacksmithing, archery, homesteading, and more, taught by experienced outdoor mentors. Grades K–12, with a Leader-in-Training track for grades 10–12 who want to mentor younger campers. Tuition varies; financial aid may be available.

A free 16-week course (January–May) introducing Oregon sophomores through seniors to biomedical research, prioritizing students without built-in academic advantages, often leading into a summer research internship. Students must be 16 by summer for the internship. Applications typically due in late November.

A highly selective eight-week summer research program (late June–mid-August) at OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute for Portland-area students from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds with strong academics. Pays $11/hour plus a bus pass, and ends with a poster presentation to institute staff. Applications usually due in December.

A fully remote tech program for juniors and seniors from underrepresented communities, at least 5 hours a week. Look for "Step into Tech" specifically among their listings.

A free 3-day training camp for young women 16–22 to try firefighting firsthand in an all-female environment, from search and rescue to CPR certification. Applications typically open in early spring.

Hands-on law enforcement training on Sundays each spring. Requires a clean record, a 2.0+ GPA, and a background check.

Aviation and aeronautics programs for ages 10–21, including building an actual airplane and a 6-week ground school toward becoming a pilot. Their website was unreachable when we last checked, so their Facebook page is the more reliable link for now.

STEM, arts, and trades career exploration and mentoring built for underrepresented teens, including STEM tours, summits, and camps.

A ten-week hands-on lab research program for students interested in scientific research, with a possible paid return internship the following year. Applications due in March.

A year-long program learning from Primate Center researchers and developing science activities to share with 5th-grade mentees. Applications due each fall.

A competitive (about 25% acceptance) 8-week summer internship pairing rising sophomores through seniors across Oregon and SW Washington with mentors in research labs, hospitals, firms, and universities. Around 100 interns are placed each year, often paid, with stipends varying by placement. Applications typically due in early March.

A museum-floor role teaching visitors while training in communication and informal education. Two 4-hour shifts a week in summer, or one during the school year.

A residential research program for rising seniors from around the world, with need-blind admissions and scholarships available.